Visiting Chicago

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The third largest city in the United States, Chicago has lots to offer, even in the cold winter months. Here’s what you won’t want to miss while you’re at the convention.

Art & Architecture

Take in the beautiful buildings of Chi-town from the comfort of a warm bus or train. The Chicago Architecture Foundation offers a variety of architectural tours. Or take a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the world’s oldest and largest art museums, less than a mile from the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The museum boasts approximately 1.5 million visitors per year, according to its website.

Basketball & Hockey

Chicago is known for its successful and longstanding sports teams. Catch a Bulls or Blackhawks game while you’re in town. The Blackhawks face off against the Anaheim Ducks on February 15 and the Washington Capitals on February 17. The Bulls take home court against the Orlando Magic on February 12 and the Toronto Raptors on February 14.

Iconic Eats

This city does it all: deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, Polish sausage, Italian beef sandwiches, gourmet popcorn, and more. Whatever your culinary craving, you’ll find it in the Windy City. Make your way around town to try out all the local eateries before the week winds down. Foodies will enjoy two nearby indoor food markets—the Chicago French Market and the Revival Food Hall.

Sights to See

Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (the “Bean”) are only half a mile from the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Take a trip to see the Bean after your sessions or enjoy outdoor ice skating at the park. Catch a show at the Chicago Theatre, also only half a mile from the convention hotel. Or see the Chicago skyline from up high with SkyDeck Chicago or the 360 Chicago Observation Deck.

The first regulation baseballs were invented by A. G. Spalding, a major league pitcher from Illinois who finished his career by playing for the Chicago White Stockings.

Mrs. O'Leary's cow was accused of starting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 by knocking over a lantern in the barn.

Elevated “El” trains, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Chicago Public Library, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra were all developed in response to the 1893 Columbia Exposition in Chicago.

In 1900, Chicago successfully completed a massive and highly innovative engineering project that reversed the flow of the Chicago River so that it emptied into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal instead of Lake Michigan.